AN IMMEDIATE ban has been demanded on right turns onto a village bypass at a junction that has claimed six lives in 18 months.

Ironically, three pensioners were killed on Wednesday on the A54 at Kelsall just two weeks before Cheshire County council workers are due to put up 'no right turn' signs.

The work was planned after a coroner demanded safety measures at the junction of the Kelsall village road with the fast-moving A54 bypass road where three people died in two accidents in May last year.

On Wednesday the elderly driver of a silver Honda Civic was turning right when his car was involved in a collision with a green Ford Mondeo taxi coming down the hill.

Two female rear seat passengers, aged 71 and 72, from Warrington and Rainhill respectively, died at the scene. The 77-year-old driver, also from Warrington, was freed by firefighters and taken by ambulance to the Countess of Chester Hospital but was dead on arrival. The male front seat passenger, who was cut from the wreckage, remains in a serious condition at the Countess.

The male driver of the taxi, from Wirral, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Ashton Hayes parish councillor Hugo Deynem has written to highways engineer Charles Lloyd asking for an immediate ban on right turns, until permanent changes are made and said he seemed amenable to the suggestion.

Cllr John Burke, executive member for highways and transport, said: 'In another two weeks the work would have been done. It just takes time for local government procedures to work.' The changes to the layout were prompted after several fatal accidents at the location. There was opposition from Ashton Hayes because of possible knock-on effects but Cllr Burke believes the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.

'There have been too many accidents, nobody wants any more,' he said.

In May last year there were three deaths at the same junction prompting deputy coroner Dr Robert Hunter to call for safety measures at the inquest of grandfather Tom Rimmer, 86, from Frodsham.

Cllr Noel Dutton, chairman of Kelsall Parish Council, said of the latest tragedy:'We extend our deepest sympathies to the family.'

Fellow Kelsall councillor John Gray said the easiest route for village traffic wishing to head east-bound along the A54 is to go to the top of the village and turn right at the traffic lights.

Family and friends united > > >

Family and friends united

FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a 'wonderful husband and father' who was killed in a crash with a lorry on a main road.

Father-of-one Alan Wood, 57, from Foxhill, Kelsall, died on the way to hospital after the smash on the A556 near the junction with the A54 in Delamere.

His wife, Maureen, said: 'Alan was much-loved by his family,his daughter Victoria and brother Clive.

'He was a wonderful husband and father, brother and uncle. He can never be replaced and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

'Our thoughts are also with the driver and passenger of the lorry at this time.'

Alan, who had worked as a mechanical shovel driver for Tarmac at the Fourways Quarry for 12 years, was travelling towards Northwich last Thursday when his grey Renault Scenic was involved in a crash with a green DAF box van at 6.57am.

The van, carrying bread, was travelling in the opposite direction and police described the two occupants as 'walking wounded.

Neighbours spoke of family man Alan, who they 'never saw static'.

May Walton, 85, has lived next door to the family since the houses were built 30 years ago and said she and the Woods were the oldest residents.

'He was very friendly with everybody and was well-known,' said May. 'A nicer couple you could not wish to meet.

'He was always there if you wanted anything doing, always. When my husband died of a heart attack, they were very supportive then.'

Although she has many favourite memories, she particularly remembers Alan making sure she was all right when workmen came to fix her roof.

She also remembered him as a very energetic man who would walk for miles with his dog.

Speaking of the crash, she said: 'I just couldn't take it in - I couldn't come to terms with it. You know it happens to people but you never think it will happen to someone so close to you. It was so unexpected.'

The crash is under investigation and police are looking into why Mr Wood, who was travelling away from Chester, drifted across the 60mph road into the path of oncoming traffic.

Family pay tribute to 'loving, honest' delivery van driver > > >

Family pay tribute to 'loving, honest' delivery van driver

A DELIVERY driver was killed on his 58th birthday after his van was involved in a crash with a loaded cattle wagon.

Ron Birch was driving a blue Ford Transit when the accident happened at 6.30pm on Friday on the A51 at Tilstone Fearnall, near Tarporley.

Fire crews from Malpas and Tarporley attended along with a specialist unit from Winsford which was needed because the cattle wagon had ended up on its side.

Both drivers were released from their vehicles before being handed over to the ambulance service.

The driver of the cattle wagon was taken to Leighton Hospital, Crewe, with minor injuries.

Two vets attended prior to the release of the cattle from the truck.

A statement from the family of Mr Birch, of Stirchley, Telford, read: 'Ron was a loving, honest, friendly guy who was passionate about his job as a delivery driver, which was his profession for over 30 years.

'He always had a friendly smile and did whatever he could to help others, for example contributing the use of his van and time to take much-needed donated supplies to the people of Boscastle after their flood disaster.

'The family are devastated with his loss, which tragically occurred on his 58th birthday whilst the family were waiting at home for his return to celebrate.'

Cheshire Constabulary closed the road to carry out an accident investigation.